Training on “Child Sensitive Communication and Trauma-Informed Approaches to Child Interviewing” in Tashkent

The pilot training on “Child-Sensitive Communication and Trauma-Informed Approaches to Child Interviewing” was conducted in Tashkent from November 1-3, 2023. The training was attended by 20 participants, including law enforcement and prosecutor's office investigators from the Republic of Uzbekistan. This three-day training served as a follow-up to the Training of Trainers (TOT) held on December 7-9, 2022, in Astana, Kazakhstan. The TOT was organized for national instructors from institutions such as the Academy of Law Enforcement Agencies, the Academy, and Institute for Advanced Training of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and the Center for Advanced Training of Lawyers under the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Uzbekistan. This training was conducted by trainers who were trained in Astana and used the development manual adapted for use in Uzbekistan.

The training focused on crucial topics such as interacting with and providing psychosocial support to children who have returned from combat zones with their families, those who have experienced challenging periods in their lives, and children and adolescents affected by violence due to difficult life situations. The discussions also covered ways to support those who have witnessed acts of violence and those who have become victims of crimes.

Uygun Nigmadjanov, deputy head of the Law Enforcement Academy, expressed the significance of the training as a continuation of their cooperation with UNODC. Nigmadjanov emphasized that the institution is committed to enhancing the skills of their students and introducing new teaching approaches and topics. Working with children who have experienced trauma and those who have been returned from conflict zones is a sensitive and complex topic. 
Nigmadjanov highlighted the importance of law enforcement officials possessing the necessary skills to work with such a diverse group, considering the psychological characteristics of children, in order to achieve the goals of justice without impeding their future development. He also expressed their enthusiasm for being the first educational institution to introduce this course into the curriculum.

Mirzahid Sultanov, UNODC program coordinator, emphasized that one of the project priorities is to enhance the skills of law enforcement officers and security forces in considering the rights, interests, and psychological state of children during interrogations and investigative actions.

The successful integration of the training topic into the Law Enforcement Academy curriculum reflects the sustainability of the project and the institution's commitment to addressing the needs of children in vulnerable situations.

Overall, the training served as an important platform for professionals to acquire the skills and knowledge necessary to handle child-sensitive communication and trauma-informed approaches to child interviewing. It also highlights the collaborative efforts between the institutions and UNODC in addressing the complex and critical issue of working with children affected by trauma and violence.